The handout picture released on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the design of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch. (Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee/Handout via Xinhua)
Beijing 2022 organizers unveil the torch design to mark the one-year countdown to the Olympic Winter Games, as well as that for the Paralympic Winter Games sharing the same structure and patterns.
By sportswriters Wang Meng, Su Bin and Ji Ye
BEIJING, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Beijing will light the Olympic flame for a second time with a blazing ribbon after organizers unveiled an ethereal yet dynamic torch design to mark the one-year countdown to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games here on Thursday evening.
The torch, named as "Flying," debuted at a ceremony in Beijing's iconic 2008 Summer Games venue, the National Aquatics Center, marking the start of the 365-day countdown to the opening of the Games on February 4 next year.
The handout picture released on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the design of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch. (Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee/Handout via Xinhua)
The torch spirals upward to resemble two overlapping fluttering ribbons. The inner red ribbon evokes rising flames, with the outer one plated in silver to produce a striking contrast.
Beaming with dynamism and vitality, the two-tone torch presents a metaphor of ice and fire, symbolizing how it will bring light and warmth to the winter sports gala.
The torch features the Beijing 2022 emblem and the Olympic rings etched on its section, with patterns of clouds and snowflakes painted from the bottom up to the flame.
As the torch turns, the whirling red line hidden in the crack seems to stretch endlessly, representing mankind's relentless pursuit of brightness, peace, excellence and the values promoted by the Olympic Movement.
"To introduce the torch at the start of the one-year countdown, we expect to kindle the enthusiasm and anticipation for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games all around the world," said Wang Xiangyu, a deputy director of the Culture and Ceremonies Department of the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.
"The successful design of the torch has proved again that the Olympics always sets the stage for the integration of sports, culture, art and science," Wang said.
Chinese gymnastics champion Li Ning lights up the cauldron of the Beijing Olympic Games during the opening ceremony in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 8, 2008. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
To honor Beijing's status as the world's first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the 2022 torch features a similar design to the 2008 Games' main cauldron, which resembled a giant scroll, highlighting the legacy of the Olympic spirit in the Chinese capital.
The cloud patterns covering the handle also drew inspiration from the main visual element of the 2008 torch, according to the design team.
"By using the same color combination and by sharing similar artistic elements with the 2008 torch, we aim to extend auspicious greetings to the world as we did at the Summer Games and to showcase Beijing's rich Olympic culture," said Li Jianye, the designer for the torch's appearance.
The handout picture released on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the design of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Torch. (Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee/Handout via Xinhua)
Sharing the same structure and patterns, the torch for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, which was also unveiled on Thursday, features a different color scheme of gold and silver. The bottom of the torch is engraved with Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Braille.
Another design highlight allows both torches to lock into each other at the top when one bearer passes the flame to another during the Torch Relay, symbolizing Beijing 2022's vision to promote mutual understanding and respect between different cultures.
The design allows two torches to lock into each other at the top. (Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee/Handout via Xinhua)
The final design was selected from 182 entries into a global competition launched in April 2020 and was approved by the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board on December 7.
The combination of Chinese aesthetic value, traditional cultural connotations and advanced technology helped the winning design team stand out, according to Lu Xiaobo, a member on the judging panel and dean of the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University.
"The current design strikes a perfect balance between the expression of the host nation's culture, Olympism and the demonstration of the latest industrial technology," said Lu.
Using a combustion system developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the torch's flame, fueled by eco-friendly hydrogen, was designed and has undergone rigorous testing to burn reliably in all weather conditions and to withstand strong winds and extreme low temperatures.
Made of carbon-fiber materials developed by Sinopec, the torch is light in weight and resistant to high temperatures.
Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2021 shows a countdown display at the Beijing Olympic Park in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Planning for the Torch Relay and selection of torchbearers for the Games are underway with detailed information to be released in due course, according to the Beijing 2022 organizing committee.
The International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach also addressed the celebration via a video link, expressing confidence that "China is ready."
"One year from now, Beijing will write history as the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will be a great moment to bring the world together in a spirit of peace, solidarity and friendship," Bach said.
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 4 to 20 and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 4 to 13. ■
